Filipino Canadians Hold Victory Celebration for First Pinay Member of Parliament in Canada

By Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired
Toronto-Canada
October 1, 2021
 




Truly proud and grateful for the historic win of Rechie Valdez as the first Filipina and second Filipino Canadian to be elected as Member of Parliament( MP), the Filipino Canadian community in Ontario conducted a victory celebration in honour of the newly-elected MP for Mississauga-Streetsville, Ontario. Rechie Valdez was convincingly victorious in the recent 44th Canadian parliamentary election on September 20, 2021.



Born in Zambia, Central Africa to Filipino parents Zosimo and Normita Salazar, Rechie immigrated to Canada with her parents and brother in 1989. A dedicated mother of two and computer science graduate from the University of Windsor, Rechie's interesting journey is a special story of successful immigrants to tell and relate to. As new immigrants, Rechie and her family have experienced adjustment and settlement situations including challenges in the year in, year out responsibilities of schooling, socializing, training, working, learning and living to meet the requirements in this adopted country. With personal determination and dedication as a banker, baker, podcaster, sports enthusiast, and entrepreneur, these all paid off, highlighting in her recent election to Canada's House of Commons and in achieving the historic political distinction in the Filipino diaspora.



The celebration was held on September 26, 2021 at the Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre (KCCC) at 5225 Orbitor Drive, Mississauga, Ontario.

A common but traditional exercise, the celebratory expression was successfully planned and organized by notable community leaders and stakeholders, superbly led by prominent business executive Agnes Miranda, the Executive Senior Vice Chairman of World Financial Group- WFG who was highly assisted by several officers and members from different associations in the province.



Among the leaders and organizers who initiated and supervised the weekend event were: Gene Pardo Elamparo, Karen Pascual-Binaday, Amalda Ada, Danny Orbillo, Louroz Mercader, Aurora Elefano, and Al Tupe. Administrative assistance was provided by Suzy Llanera, Edmundo Miranda, Ophelia Santiago,  Aris Elefano, Nanding and Nene Ticzon. Catered meal boxes were supplied by Casa Manila, FV Foods, Intramuros Resto, and Max's Restaurant; the banners & masks by Paulo Bucod; DJ Service by Sherwin Sunico; and photographers Raymond Santos, Salome Mader, Nick and Cora Rivera. KCCC President Resty Del Rosario offered the venue rental at a generous discount.



To meet provincial health and safety protocols, the celebratory event was carried out in 2 sessions at 2:00- 5:00 pm, and 6:00: 9:00 pm. Ably hosted by Louroz Mercader and Karen Pascual-Binaday, the early afternoon gathering has MP and Minister of Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Hon. Marco Mendicino for its guest speaker and Toronto Medical Officer of Health Dr. Eileen De Villa, the evening session speaker.

Those who attended and congratulated Rechie Valdez were Cecille Araneta, Paul & Wendy Arena, Sonia Balinas, Philip Beloso, Lapu-lapu & Ligaya Cana, Nestor Von Canton, Norma Carpio, Ben & Paulina Corpuz, Cory Coutts, Noel Cruz, Rose Cruz, Frank Cruzet, Joe Damasco, Candace David, Vivienne Lotilla Dela Cruz, Ronnie & Claire Dela Gana, Josie De Leon, Henry & Rosalie Dulay, Li Eron, Rosary Escano, Imee Espiritu,  Delano Europa, Rechelle Everdeen, Mel Galeon, Joseph Guiyab, Dr. Solon Guzman, Erlinda Insigne, B. K. Jimenez, Robert King, Helen Lao, Chalen Lazerna, Marita Lee, Janet Lim, Bin Kon Loo, Theresa Lumanlan, Rommel Lumbao,  Gisele Mirasol, Felix & Lita Ordonez, Steve Pagao, Edward Que, Wilfredo Rapanan, Joseph & Lorelei Redoblado, JR Reyes,  Resty & Luz Del Rosario, Maria Samonte, Mary Ann San Juan, Tony & Joy San Juan, Bea Santiago, Cecille Santiago, Alston St. Louis, Edgar Sulit, Sherry Lacson Tan, Tom Tan, Mon & Tess Torralba, and Zeny Zagala.



Spearheaded by community leaders from different community-based organizations and entities such as the: Philippine Independence Day Council,  World Financial Group, Amp-Ed Workshop, Association of Filipino Canadian Accountants, Atin Ito, Battle 416, B2Bpreneur, Camarines Norte Association Canada-Ontario, Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan, Filipino- Canadian Architect Association, Filipino Canadian Association of Vaughan, Filipino Canadian Dental Association, Filipiniana, Filipino Buletin, Filipino Centre Toronto, Filipino Heritage Council of Canada, Filipinos Making Waves, Filipino Renal Nurses Association of Ontario, FTV-Filipino Canadian Ethnic Channels Group, Filipino Workers Network, Gawad Kalinga, Golden Balangay Awards, Imperial World, Inc., Inquirer.Net, IPEN, JDL Performing Arts School, JR Reyes & Associates, Kababaihang Rizalista, Kalayaan Cultural Community Centre, Knights of Rizal-Canada Region, Liberal Party of Canada, Masbate Association, Party On, Philippine Advancement Through Arts and Culture, Philippine Chamber of Commerce-Toronto, Philippine Heritage Band, Philippine Star-Manila, Pinoy Radio-MCBN, Pinta, Rise Tribe, San Pablenyo Association, Scarborough Ontario Seniors Association, Seed of Hope, TFC-The Filipino Channel, TOMZ Radio, and 89 DMZ Dance Music.

In her addresses to the many enthusiastic guests, admirers, supporters, volunteers, and event organizers, R. Valdez was highly respectful and appreciative of the outpouring of congratulatory greetings and good wishes. To the attendees, she reiterated her pledge to hopefully "serve well the interests and issues of her Mississauga-Streetsville constituents as well as to represent and articulate the voice of her kababayans ( compatriots) in the Canadian parliament". Rechie Valdez, in most of her personal messages, was confidently expressing her utmost gratitude and pasasalamat of "the great gifts" she deservedly received. Mabuhay ka Rechie! Mabuhay ang Filipino! (Tony A. San Juan, OCT-Retired).